Omar Epps
Omar Epps | |
---|---|
Brooklyn, New York , U.S. | |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1988–present |
Spouse |
Keisha Epps (m. 2006) |
Children | 3 |
Omar Hashim Epps from 2016 to 2018.
Early life
Omar Epps was born in
Career
In 1992, Epps made his feature film debut playing a DJ alongside
In his network television debut, Epps guest starred as Dr. Dennis Gant, a surgical intern struggling with depression, on the hit medical drama ER for several episodes in its third season.[6] After his television work on ER, Epps returned to film in 1997 with a role as a giddy moviegoer, on a date with a woman played by Jada Pinkett Smith, who ends up an early victim of a psychopathic slasher in the blockbuster sequel Scream 2.[7] Also in 1997, Epps starred in the fact-based HBO movie First Time Felon as a small-time criminal who goes through Chicago's boot camp reform system and undertakes a heroic flood rescue, only to be faced with the adjustment of re-entering society with the mark of ex-con. In 1999, Epps was cast as Linc in The Mod Squad.[8] While The Mod Squad proved a critical and box-office bust, Epps's later 1999 effort The Wood offered him a serious and multi-dimensional role as Mike Tarver, narrator and lead of this critically-acclaimed coming-of-age ensemble comedy.[9] Following a group of middle-class African Americans from youth to adulthood, the debut effort from director-screenwriter Rick Famuyiwa co-starred Richard T. Jones and Taye Diggs.[8] Also in 1999, Epps was featured alongside Stanley Tucci and LL Cool J, playing an undercover detective who finds himself caught up in the illegal goings-on he is investigating in In Too Deep.
In 2000, Epps starred in
In 2004, Epps played the drug-dealer-turned-prizefighter Luther Shaw who falls under the tutelage of boxing promoter
In 2014, Epps took on the role of agent J. Martin Bellamy in the ABC television series, Resurrection.[14] The series focuses on a number of individuals who return from the dead, and change the lives of their families and friends in Arcadia, Missouri.[8]
In July 2020, Epps starred in the Netflix psychological thriller Fatal Affair.[15][16] In 2022, it was announced that Epps would star in the Lee Daniels' horror/thriller The Deliverance alongside Mo'Nique, Andra Day, Miss Lawrence, and Tasha Smith.[17][18]
Personal life
Epps married singer Keisha Spivey, from the R&B group
He is fluent in Spanish and French.[citation needed]
Epps and actor/comedian Marlon Wayans are longtime friends and high school classmates at LaGuardia High, both graduating in 1990.[20] The 1997−1999 theme song used for the sitcom The Wayans Brothers was co-produced by Epps, with Marlon and Shawn Wayans.[21]
In a 2018 interview, Epps denied the long-standing rumor that he is related to fellow actor Mike Epps, saying, "Me and Mike Epps ain't related, though, we spoke like, 'Where you from? Where you from?'"[22]
Epps authored an autobiography titled From Fatherless to Fatherhood that was released by Lulu Publishing in June 2018.[23]
Epps serves on the Cultural Council of RepresentUs, a nonprofit organization that focuses on passing anti-corruption laws in the United States. In June 2020, he narrated an educational video for the organization about America's criminal justice system.[24]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | The Green Flash | Charlie | Short film |
1992 | Juice | Q | |
1993 | Daybreak | Hunter | |
1993 | The Program | Darnell Jefferson | |
1994 | Major League II | Willie Mays Hayes | |
1995 | Higher Learning | Malik Williams | |
1996 | The Deadly Voyage | Kingsley | |
1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | Malik | Cameo |
1997 | Scream 2 | Phil Stevens | |
1997 | First Time Felon | Greg Yance | |
1998 | Blossoms and Veils | Thee | |
1999 | Breakfast of Champions | Wayne Hoobler | |
1999 | The Mod Squad | Linc | |
1999 | The Wood | Mike | |
1999 | In Too Deep | Jeff Cole / J Reid | |
2000 | Love & Basketball | Quincy McCall | Nominated – Best Male Performance
Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice Film Actor Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice Film Chemistry with Sanaa Lathan |
2000 | Brother | Denny | |
2000 | Dracula 2000 | Marcus | |
2001 | Perfume | JB | |
2002 | Big Trouble | FBI Agent Alan Seitz | |
2004 | Against the Ropes | Luther Shaw | |
2004 | Alfie | Marlon | |
2009 | A Day in the Life | O | |
2016 | Almost Christmas | Malachi | |
2018 | Traffik | John | |
2019 | Trick | Det. Mike Denver | |
2019 | 3022 | John Laine | |
2020 | Fatal Affair | David Hammond | |
2022 | The Devil You Know | Marcus Cowans | |
TBA | The Deliverance | TBA | Post-Production |
Television
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Def Jam: Fight for NY | O.E. | Voice[27] |
Discography
- Omar Epps Presents... The Get Back (2004)
References
- ^ a b c d "Omar Epps". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
- ^ "The Big M: Mike in the House". Playboy. 56 (1). Playboy: 19. January 2009.
I grew up all over Brooklyn – Bed Stuy, East New York, Flatbush...
- ^ "Omar Epps reveals how he and Tupac ad-libbed their way through 'Juice' — and the rap hit that was born on set". yahoo. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Higher Learning: in praise of John Singleton's forgotten masterwork". The Guardian. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "The cruellest voyage". The Guardian. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "10 episodes that will remind you why ER was the top drama of the '90s". avclub. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Why 'Scream 2' Is Still One of the Best Horror Sequels of All Time". Thrillist. thrillist.com. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "Omar Epps Biography". Biography.com. May 21, 2014. Archived from the original on 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ "The Wood". rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ "'Love & Basketball': An oral history of the film that changed the game". espn. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Robert Sean Leonard, Omar Epps Set To Return To 'House'; Series' Renewal Imminent". Deadline. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ Hunt, Rachel (2019-11-06). "'This Is Us': Who Plays Deja's Boyfriend, Malik's Parents?". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ "Omar Epps". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ "Omar Epps says "Resurrection" finale will make you rethink entire season". cbs news. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (October 2, 2019). "Nia Long To Produce & Star Alongside Omar Epps And Stephen Bishop In Netflix Film 'Fatal Affair'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ Lawrence, Gregory (July 1, 2020). "The Trailer for Netflix's 'Fatal Affair' Delivers Cheesy Domestic Thriller Realness". Collider. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ Jones, Monique. "Lee Daniels' 'The Deliverance,' Starring Mo'Nique After Years-Long Feud, Adds Omar Epps, Miss Lawrence And More To Cast". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ Massoto, Erick (2022-07-14). "Lee Daniels' Netflix Horror 'The Deliverance' Adds Omar Epps, Demi Singleton, and More". Collider. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ Penn, Charli (March 11, 2014). "Black Love: Keisha and Omar Epps' Beautiful Love Story". Essence. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (2003). "Notable Alumni". Alumni and Friends of LaGuardia High School. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ "10 Things You Might Not Know About 'The Wayans Bros.' Show". BET.
- ^ "Omar Epps Talks Tupac's Influence, Getting Lead Role in "Juice", Fatherhood + More!". YouTube.
- ^ From Fatherless to Fatherhood by Omar Epps
- ^ RepresentUs (2020). "Unbreaking America: Justice for Sale". RepresentUs. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ Harnick, Chris (August 31, 2019). "This Is Us Season 4 Twist! See the Trailer & Meet the New Cast". E! Online. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ Power Book III: Raising Kanan star Omar Epps open to spin-off - Radio Times
- ^ "Faces of Def Jam: Omar Epps".